Isabel,
Brazilian Princess
circa 1883
The Thereza Christina Maria Collection consists of 21,742 photographs assembled by Emperor Pedro II and left by him to the National Library of Brazil. The collection covers a vast range of subjects. It documents the achievements of Brazil and the Brazilian people in the 19th century, as well as includes many photographs from Europe, Africa, and North America. This photograph shows Princess Isabel, the daughter of Pedro II and, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1889, the heir to the Brazilian throne. It was taken by Joaquim José Insley Pacheco (1830-1912), one of the most celebrated Brazilian portrait photographers of the day. Pacheco was born in Portugal and immigrated to Brazil as a young man. Between 1849 and 1851, he worked in New York, where he studied with photographers Jeremiah Gurney and Mathew Brady. Returning to Brazil, he opened a studio in Rio de Janeiro. In 1855 he received the title of Photographer to the Imperial House. His best known subjects included members of the royal family, political personalities, and members of the Brazilian aristocracy. He was also a painter and draftsman, and made technical contributions to the development of photography.
circa 1883
The Thereza Christina Maria Collection consists of 21,742 photographs assembled by Emperor Pedro II and left by him to the National Library of Brazil. The collection covers a vast range of subjects. It documents the achievements of Brazil and the Brazilian people in the 19th century, as well as includes many photographs from Europe, Africa, and North America. This photograph shows Princess Isabel, the daughter of Pedro II and, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1889, the heir to the Brazilian throne. It was taken by Joaquim José Insley Pacheco (1830-1912), one of the most celebrated Brazilian portrait photographers of the day. Pacheco was born in Portugal and immigrated to Brazil as a young man. Between 1849 and 1851, he worked in New York, where he studied with photographers Jeremiah Gurney and Mathew Brady. Returning to Brazil, he opened a studio in Rio de Janeiro. In 1855 he received the title of Photographer to the Imperial House. His best known subjects included members of the royal family, political personalities, and members of the Brazilian aristocracy. He was also a painter and draftsman, and made technical contributions to the development of photography.
